Olympus lovers thread

[doofus]

Olympus have released 3 new micro 4/3 cameras and 2 new lenses.
The biggest change is that they have transformed the auto focus ability to be what they claim to be near world leading s-af speed. After the original EP1 was caned for slow auto focus this is a big turnaround and is a really positive sign for the future of Olympus and this system.
The new lenses look very nice, a 12 mm f2 and a 45 mm 1.8. Both are welcome additions especially the 45 mm.
DP review has a preview of the Ep3 here
Olympus PEN E-P3 announced and previewed: Digital Photography Review

[TheKeddi]

I like the look of the new EP3 but not too sure about the epl3. It's a bit too much like a sony nex.

And touch screen photo taking like the panasonic will help them get new adopters.

Good luck to them with the new models. Tho I won't be getting one this time, I have had every model pen so far. I'll stick with my Pana G2 for a while now.

[doofus]

Don't know if I will upgrade from my EP-2 just yet, the G3 from Panasonic also looks tempting but I will just wait until RAW support is available in Aperture before deciding.
The new Lecia branded 25 mm f1.4 is sweet as is the 2 new Olympus prime lenses.
A couple of high quality zooms like the 12-60 and 50-200, with the new lightning quick auto focus would round out my kit nicely. :o

[kyte]

With this last lot of releases I am very tempted to switch to MFT, I particularly like the look of the E-P3. I was tempted by the G3 too, had a look at PMA, but I am trying to be as compact as I can. So, on my wishlist now, E-P3 + EVF + both those primes, AND the fuji X100. crikey!

[iTy]

Hey all,

Looking for a small camera with interchangeable lenses. Last time I looked there weren't many in this area, but alas, it seems to have grown exponentially somewhat. Previously I was previously considering the the Olympus; in fact the Nex had just arrived on the scene. Therefore, I'm now thoroughly confused.

Been eyeing Olympus EPL-2/E-P3, Sony NEX 5, Panasonic Lumix GF series.

Any advice? TIA

[TheKeddi]

E-Pl2 is a lot cheaper than the E-P3 and is a very good camera!

I like the idea of the Panasonic GF3.

But there are so many around now like you said.

[doofus]

Hey all,

Looking for a small camera with interchangeable lenses. Last time I looked there weren't many in this area, but alas, it seems to have grown exponentially somewhat. Previously I was previously considering the the Olympus; in fact the Nex had just arrived on the scene. Therefore, I'm now thoroughly confused.

Been eyeing Olympus EPL-2/E-P3, Sony NEX 5, Panasonic Lumix GF series.

Any advice? TIA

What body you choose really depends on what your needs are and how much you can afford to spend. If you want something right now you will be more than likely choosing from the older models as the new Olympus and Panasonics are in very short supply at present.

[kyte]

Whilst I'm tempted by the E-P3, I like the idea of the tilt screen on the E-PL3. Truth to tell though, I need a new refrigerator before I buy another camera, so I have to be strong and not get any of them... or maybe wait til the market drops prices on the E-PL2 and take that.

[doofus]

Some videos on the EP3's auto focus abilities. I am so darn impressed by how they have improved it from the original EP-1. I only wish my DSLR could auto focus as well
‪E-P3
‪E-P3

[doofus]

I have had my new EP3 for a couple of weeks now and am VERY happy with the improvements from previous models. Autofocus is really very quick and accurate and the Jpegs look great. I bought the twin lens kit with the 14-42 and 40-150, mainly just to get the 40-150. I am extremely happy with the quality of the images from these two lenses and now have no concern about recommending this setup to anyone wanting a high quality, compact camera system. In my opinion with the new improved autofocus system this new range of Pens make the perfect travel camera for someone ready to stepup from a point and shoot.
Olympus are set to release the new 45 mm 1.8 lens shortly, here is one of the first reviews I have seen. They give it very high marks for optical quality and it seems to be sharp all the way from f 1.8 which is what we have all hoped for. I can't wait to get my copy sometime in the next couple of months.

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[rjch]

Doofus. I have an epl-1, but am looking at the ep3. have you used an electronic view finder on it (the new or the old?). i also have the olympus 40-150 and wonder if it works better on the ep3? there also seems to be an olympus 12mm. is that correct? have you used one?

[brawlster]

Hi.

I have ended up with an extra 4/3 --> m4/3 adaptor. This Lumix adaptor allows you to put any 4/3 lens onto any m4/3 camera. It works with both Olympus and panasonic lenses and bodies. I use it to mount 4/3 Olympus lenses on a m4/3 panasonic AF100. I've ended up with three of them. This one has been used only once.

I'm selling it on ebay.

jb

[doofus]

Olympus have announced the new EM-5 a 16 megapixel micro 4/3 camera styled in the likeness of the classic OM series. This is the first Olympus m4/3 model to have a built in viewfinder and a weather sealed body.
I think it looks absolutely gorgeous, although it looks like a classic SLR it is not much larger than the EP 3. Pricing seems very good with body only being US $999 and hopefully Australian prices will be competitive.
Other features include even faster autofocus than the EP3 and a new 5 axis image stabiliser.
Can't wait to read some reviews from early testers, no doubt it will replace my EP3 which has been an joy to use.
Olympus have also announced a couple of new lenses a 75mm f1.8 and a 60mm f2.8 macro.
Another lens announcement that really stirred me is Voigtlanders new 17.5mm f0.95. Expensive, but if it is as good as the 25mm 0.95 it will be hard to resist.

OLYMPUS OM-D | Olympus Imaging

[brawlster]

Olympus have announced the new EM-5 a 16 megapixel micro 4/3 camera styled in the likeness of the classic OM series. This is the first Olympus m4/3 model to have a built in viewfinder and a weather sealed body.

Looks tasty, but I wonder how it will go with 4/3 lenses ? I have a a bunch of SHG lenses and can't help but think it will still be slow with the adaptor....

jb

[doofus]

Looks tasty, but I wonder how it will go with 4/3 lenses ? I have a a bunch of SHG lenses and can't help but think it will still be slow with the adaptor....

jb

I will be interested to see if there is some improvement using 4/3 lenses, although I don't think a lens the size of the 35-100 would balance too well on this body.
The good news is that Olympus officials have suggested in recent interviews that 4/3 bodies are still under development. A new body with this new sensor and image stabilisation would be nice. I recently picked up an as new (less than 500 shutter count) E5 and have been very happy with the images it has produced.

[brawlster]

I'm hoping that the super fast AF will make up for the fact that it will still slow to focus my SHG lenses. I have the 35-100 and the 14-35 among oothers that aren't optimised for the AF, but given how fast it is now, I think I might just take a punt anyway.
The handgrip looks great to me, but I would imgaine mostly using m4/3 lenses, but it's nice to know I CAN put 4/3 lenses ont here and have still be useable.

I'm pretty excited by the thought of a 16mp shot with my 150mm F2.

And yes...the E5 is a very underated camera. I'm loving it more and more as I use it. I've found overeexposing it by 1/3-2/3 seems to help the shots a lot, compared to underexposing on my E1....

jb

[kyte]

Olympus have announced the new EM-5 a 16 megapixel micro 4/3 camera styled in the likeness of the classic OM series. This is the first Olympus m4/3 model to have a built in viewfinder and a weather sealed body.
I think it looks absolutely gorgeous, although it looks like a classic SLR it is not much larger than the EP 3. Pricing seems very good with body only being US $999 and hopefully Australian prices will be competitive.

I've become very interested in this (I was starting to look at the PENs again).

I bought an XZ-1 recently and have been having a lot of fun with it, its a brilliant camera for a whole lot of reasons, not the least of which is its IQ. The colours... Olympus colours... I had forgotten!


Gull in Flight by kyte50, on Flickr


Before Dawn by kyte50, on Flickr

So the EM-5, with builtin VF, is very appealing, although I had planned to get a VF-2 for the XZ (and any PEN I might buy).

There's just too much choice around now.

[brawlster]

With the 150mm F2
�yCP+�z�uOM-D E-M5�v‚ðƒAƒs�[ƒ‹‚µ‚½ƒIƒŠƒ“ƒpƒXƒu�[ƒX - ƒfƒWƒJƒ�Watch

and the 14-35
http://g3.img-dpreview.com/BF6444F3B...23BC2CD06C.jpg

and the 35-100
http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-s3pBWcdRiA...066365-001.JPG

jb

[kyte]

With the 150mm F2

and the 14-35


and the 35-100


jb

YIKES! Those lenses look massive on that little body! Wonder how the balance is...

[brawlster]

YIKES! Those lenses look massive on that little body! Wonder how the balance is...

Hopefully manageable with the grip. The 35-100 is a beast for sure. More important is that they CAN be used. I'd imagine using m4/3 lenses most of the time, but it means I get extra life out of my 4/3 lenses, so this camera is a definite winner for me.

jb